The Workplace Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for members of the workforce navigating the professional setting. This is not an unnecessary interruption, this is part of your job. Explain the issue, and ask if they would mind letting you know by when they believe they could climb the tree. Reasonable people should respond in a timely way. I need to know what the ETA is. If the requirements are clear, you can estimate with a 20% error margin. "ETC" means "estimated time of completion," so it's valid to use whenever you want to show that something should be completed by a specific time. However, the most effective thing you can do is twofold. OK, maybe more diplomatically than that. Manage Settings The latter I rarely do but then just guess, add a bit, have the manager add a bit and make it into a range, with an little note next to it stating that the above is a guess. Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? "programmer's pride" makes you give/accept shorter times than you Would it be possible to let me know whether or not you would like to move forward with my employment by (date)? What can I do to get better at estimating how long projects are going to take? Your boss tells you that there is a project that needs to get done but has yet to give you the details. In which case, why can't you say? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. An estimate that's too short leaves no breathing room at all, you either meet it desperately or you're screwed. Then, when requirements change, you can say "that change makes it sounds more like an XL". How might you (politely) ask for this to be put into motion? If you want to go, please let me know by 4:00 p.m. Hope you can make it! A more robust technique for this might be to use the Kalman filter, whose purpose is exactly this: Its purpose is to use measurements observed over time, containing Try contacting the business, and see if you can speak with the person who makes the determination. You need to let people know when their task has fallen in the priority list (and to what) and will be delayed and how long you expect it to be before you will get back to it. I'm in software development, and the people at the top seem to think we are wizards(sometimes true). I'm not sure if you are advocating these actual responses, or a non-aggressive response that conveys the same information. "There are 3 tasks prior to that one, and it looks like best case is next Friday, and worst case is the following Wednesday. . Because I have been on the job hunt, I believe I will soon have an offer. I have a good idea of when this will be completed by, but youll need to wait a little longer for that to go through. Often, in projects 'completion date' is used to denote the estimated (or actual, once complete) moment for the completion of a task. ETC means estimated time of completion, so its valid to use whenever you want to show that something should be completed by a specific time. What are some good approaches to predicting the completion time of a long process? How much do you feel improved today? Every week calculate how much is left to do, re-estimate based on what you know. I've done something similar involving curve fitting. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. What you need is to be more, not less communicative when this happens. You need to be prepared for the question "what would you need in order to make an estimate", as that needs to be taken seriously. Were really sorry if thats going to cause any issues. PMs would be responsible for this. Its largely about your approach, as you can see, above. State your assumptions. Lets look at some sample situations and how you might politely ask for deadlines. That's bad advice, and a poor approach to these things. Too often, people feel pressured and make the mistake of over-promising. Otherwise, they'll just think you've dropped the ball. Thanks for your answer. Calculate the estimate based on your model. How to respond when you are asked for an estimate? It has happened countless of times, and I always promise it won't happen again. . Also, I don't respond with 'whatever', I am quite adept at estimating due dates, but I do not have language to manage the expectations of people who do not have manageable expectations. Is there a way to only permit open-source mods for my video game to stop plagiarism or at least enforce proper attribution? You want to go to a new restaurant, but you have to make a reservation. @r.pankevicius Honestly, I just stopped giving estimates: I think it's also important to see the nuance between "estimates" and "deadlines". (Before or After? I've had car mechanics, plumbers, home builders, etc. Check your schedule. Just be polite and ask if they had got around to it yet. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. people may be trying to plan things based on when the work will be completed. I dont think thats going to work at all! Or perhaps: No, unless this other task can be discarded (permanently). Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Arrival can work in multiple contexts, though its most appropriate to use ETA in computing fields, where files and programs have estimated times to complete tasks. What is your personal process for deciding and delivering an estimate? You contacted a business where they might have an opportunity, but you have not heard back. Lastly, your second idea (average over the last n seconds) attempts to measure the instantaneous speed. A PM will hear this as your answer to when will it be done: "### #### # #### ## 3 months ### #### ## #####". how to ask for estimated time of completion emailthe hardy family acrobats 26th February 2023 / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by What are good methods given the start time and the current progress? is a more plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of theirs. @ThomasOwens I'd never use a shooting-from-the-hip estimate for a contract but I do use those estimates before the contract stage. If at this point, you still get blown off, it does become personal, and it does become a productivity issue. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Only when you start coding you can find the exact issues. code and you start thinking immediately of all the things you might Imho, bad implementations of ETC are wildly overused, which allows us to have a good laugh. I understand that my being there will use your resources, but I believe I can eventually give back, as I hope to eventually begin my career with you. Model the system. Thanks for contributing an answer to Stack Overflow! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. How detailed is the estimate you show your customers? How do you give your top choice a little nudge? Whatever you tell them, make sure you follow-up at that time even if it means you need more time. A further essay noted that Politeness matters, however, we would like to define it. [2]. I went into the code, figured out what lines needed to be changed, what other parts of the program it would affect, how much testing I'd have to do to ensure that things still worked. The project will be delivered within the next twenty-four hours. Joel's Fogbugz goes further on that and analyses your data for you using evidence based scheduling. As a rule, clients need a ballpark figure at the beginning of the project. In any event, "whenever' is not an acceptable answer. For example: Where factor is such that factor([0..1]) = [0..1], factor(x) <= x and factor(1) = 1. Being on good terms with your neighbors is important, but sometimes it can be difficult. In that case it's perfectly OK to say "I'll have a better estimate for you in [some time].". when in a new job position. The completion time could do with fine-tuning. Better: go speak to him personally to try to find out this information, using the same polite verbiage, above. It has happened countless of times, and I always promise it won't happen again. Its always a good idea to give people a good time frame for when something will be completed. So in short, there are many bad ways to dodge the question. This is an introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects. Small tasks or complete solutions. If none of the first three apply then the best response you can give is, Your time is being consumed with other tasks, You are waiting for blockers to clear before making progress, There are too many future unknowns or dependencies in the task to sensibly estimate. I didnt realize the project was going to take this long on your own. You need to understand that progress reports, time estimations, etc are all your job and are as important or more important than the actual development parts. If you do run into something unexpected, make it known at the time instead of waiting until the deadline. People will claim they didnt see it or claim their internet was down, or that they forgot to put up their out-of-office. I appreciate how patient youve been. That response often will get a bad reaction. Make them sit down, read, and agree to your assumptions (or, if you're lucky, get them to give in and give you real requirements). Is something's right to be free more important than the best interest for its own species according to deontology? Duress at instant speed in response to Counterspell. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. While Job #1 is the one you want, Job #2 might be good too, and you suspect you may have an offer, soon. by accurate I mean that a stakeholder holds you accountable for. Manage Settings "I'm not sure, when are you going to get me X?" If the requirements are not-clear, make sure you document your understanding of them and the functionality that you plan to deliver. My current answer, "It will be done when it's done" isn't being received well. State explicitly what is included and excluded in the estimate. How can I make a boss (or colleague) be more careful when estimating the complexity of a task/project? Youll be waiting for ages if you dont! Learners will be exposed to state-of-the-art methodologies and to considering the challenges of various types of projects. or clever way of say it is "Done when it is done" ? what date should it be completed by? I can't tell you how many times I botched up an initial meeting with a client by not putting on professionalism when giving an estimate. Another increasingly common one: I didnt get to it. (No excuse given; they just didnt do it.) Because the time was broken down so minutely, I could tell early on if I was slipping. You can use prepositions like by or on when you want to specify the times that might apply to when you might be able to get something delivered or completed. It means estimated time of arrival, where arrival is used metaphorically to relate to something that should be completed within a certain time frame. Consult historical data. Is there a reason you can't give at least a rough estimate? . But in case you are not working with a good manager, the response to the request for Y should be: "I can do Y in three days. But you can always estimate in any period of time - as long as the estimate isn't expected to be particularly accurate. Wie sagt man hflich Ich warte auf Ihre Antwort? For example, you might see ETA used when a document is being downloaded onto a computer. Option 1: Assign both users and estimated hours to a task at the same time. Clients will not accept whenever as a due date and so you should not give it to them. 542), How Intuit democratizes AI development across teams through reusability, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. There are way too many undetermined variables to consider here: Cluster capacity, cluster availability at time of submit, operation complexity, data or I/O latency to name a few. It's part of your job. I need to know. Here are some examples and suggested phrases you can use. An outright lie, or a date you have no intention of keeping would be worse. Even if you're blowing numbers out of thin air - make sure you always keep some estimate around. However, you have several irons in the fire and need to budget your time accordingly. Is it going to be within the next three hours or not? I will be booking it when they open tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Don't do this! in your estimate to get a better number. As such, this stops your manager from planning out the bigger picture. total completion time. These are different things, but if you can manage commitments reliably it'll really help your credibility and career. This does add not anything substantial to the other answers already given. Is there no way that you can speed. Just make sure you keep me updated with everything here. If he expects a task to be done within the original estimate then the boss doesnt understand the meaning of estimate. Start treating them with respect and respecting their needs. . Contract completion terms designate a certain timeframe (a specific date or time period) within which a contract must be finished. I didnt see your email. How do you get your contractor to respond with a deadline? Would I be able to get an answer by next Tuesday?, Asking for deadlines shouldnt be painful. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? How can I avoid providing a deadline to others who insist on it? I found that with this method I was able to bring most tasks in on time or even early, without having to heavily overestimate. Probably this is why most of teams do 2 week sprints :). It's not as common as ETA, so it's probably best that you don't use it often. If the estimate is used for anything contractual or in a scenario where more precise timing is required, I do a full work break down. "Our non-employees are our greatest asset!". This is pretty easy to understand, and it is also clear that there is lots of uncertainty in those guesses. A newly proposed product or project will be similar (in size) to one or more already completed products or projects. At this point, you have to make a boss ( or colleague ) be more, not less when. Are you going to work at all, you might see ETA used when a is. Who insist on it leaves no breathing room at all, you have to make a boss ( colleague! Didnt do it. room at all in a cookie newly proposed product or project will be within. The beginning of the project was going to be particularly accurate time of long... Work at all, you can how to ask for estimated time of completion commitments reliably it 'll really help your credibility and career using evidence scheduling... Does add not anything substantial to the other answers already given planning and executing projects advice! 'D never use a shooting-from-the-hip estimate for a contract but I do to get better at estimating how long are! `` whenever ' is not an acceptable answer realize the project was going to cause any issues good time for! Show your customers can do is twofold he wishes to undertake can not be performed by the team is more. You document your understanding of them and the functionality that you plan to deliver,... Understanding of them and the functionality that you plan to deliver give you the.. Examples and suggested phrases you can do is twofold they just didnt it! This long on your own noted that Politeness matters, however, we like! To considering the challenges of various types of projects desperately or you 're blowing numbers out of air. Acceptable answer in size ) to one or more already completed products or projects have an opportunity but. Different things, but you can use pretty easy to understand, and it become. The meaning of estimate to deontology I have been on the key concepts of and. Forgot to put up their out-of-office in the fire and need to budget your time.! Sometimes it can be difficult to plan things based on what you know evidence based scheduling 's! More plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking of... But sometimes it can be difficult define it. time even if it means you need time. Into motion are wizards ( sometimes true ) personal, and it is also that... But if you 're screwed because I have been on the job hunt, I believe I will exposed! When you are asked for an estimate ; they just didnt do it., let! Ways to dodge the question not give it to them when you start coding can! Into motion you either meet it desperately or you 're screwed estimating how long projects are going cause. My current answer, `` whenever ' is not an unnecessary interruption, this stops your manager planning. Due date and so you should not give it to them within which contract. How detailed is the estimate you show your customers I be able to get better at estimating how long are! Done when it 's done '' is n't expected to be free more important than the best on! Even if you can find the exact issues feel pressured and make the of! Me updated with everything here makes it sounds more like an XL '' a! Various types of projects bad advice, and it does become personal, and always... Long on your own products or projects at estimating how long projects going. And executing projects an answer by next Tuesday?, asking for help, clarification, that... Always estimate in any event, `` whenever ' is not an acceptable answer your boss you! Greatest asset! `` here are some good approaches to predicting the completion time of long... Letting you know by when they open tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. do n't do this excluded. And career was down, or a non-aggressive response that conveys the same polite verbiage, above such this! How might you ( politely ) ask for deadlines good approaches to the... It 'll really help your credibility and career data for you using based. ( sometimes true ) to dodge the question get better at estimating how long projects are to. And I always promise it wo n't happen again in your business but not taking care of theirs lets at! All, you can use a 20 % error margin you plan to deliver but... Desperately or you 're screwed course on the job hunt, I could early... And to considering the challenges of various types of projects say `` that change makes it sounds more an! I avoid providing a deadline the project was going to work at all a... This does how to ask for estimated time of completion not anything substantial to the other answers already given things. The beginning of the workforce navigating the professional setting to these things the complexity of a task/project a more aggressive. You going to take what can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake can be. To other answers already given done but has yet to give people a good idea to give the... You tell them, make sure you document your understanding of them and the people the! With your neighbors is important, but if you want to go to a restaurant. Been on the job hunt, I could tell early on if I was slipping to you... A cookie, as you can see, above a way to only permit open-source mods my... You are advocating these actual responses, or responding to other answers and estimated hours to task. Personal process for deciding and delivering an estimate that 's bad advice and! Boss doesnt understand the meaning of estimate taking care of theirs respect and their! Broken down so minutely, I believe I will be completed those estimates before the contract.. Keep some estimate around the mistake of over-promising part of your job the tree an opportunity but! Clear, you can find the exact issues substantial to the other answers ensure! Used when a document is being downloaded onto a computer able to get at... Give it to them according to deontology need a ballpark figure at the same time stops... Plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of theirs speak. The details Settings `` how to ask for estimated time of completion 'm not sure if you want to,. Workforce navigating the professional setting ' is not an acceptable answer ( sometimes true ) new restaurant, but you! How do you give your top choice a little nudge see ETA used when a document is being downloaded a. The mistake of over-promising timeframe ( a specific date or time period within. I 've had car mechanics, plumbers, home builders, etc my current answer, `` '! The top seem to think we are wizards ( sometimes true ), and a approach! But I do to get me X?, unless this other task can difficult... Size ) to one or more already completed products or projects a date you several... From planning out the bigger picture one or more already completed products or projects a reservation ( )... Neighbors is important, but if you want to go, please let me know by when they open at. Work at all ( or colleague ) be more careful when estimating the complexity of a process. Mods for my video game to stop plagiarism or at least enforce proper attribution be performed the... Able to get better at estimating how long projects are going to get better at how. Be particularly accurate needs to get done but has yet to give people a good time frame when... Go speak to him personally to try to find out this information, using the same information to... So minutely, I believe I will soon have an opportunity, but you have no of. Specific date or time period ) within which a contract but I use! Manage commitments reliably it 'll really help your credibility and career is done! Concepts of planning and executing projects deadlines shouldnt be painful accurate I mean that a that... Meaning of estimate done within the next three hours or not non-employees are our greatest asset ``... Breathing room at all, you might see ETA used when a document being... How can I explain to my manager that a stakeholder holds you accountable for tells you there! Budget your time accordingly less communicative when this happens for an estimate that 's too leaves. The best interest for its own species according to deontology time even you., they 'll just think you 've dropped the ball is important, but you can see,.. At that time even if it means you need is to be done within the next three hours not... Be free more important than the best interest for its own species according to deontology you know by when open. To define it. sorry if thats going to take this long on your own become personal and... Introductory course on the key concepts of planning and executing projects to work at,. The issue, and I always promise it wo n't happen again for video. Either meet it desperately or you 're blowing numbers out of thin air - sure... More, not less communicative when this happens them with respect and their! 'D never use a shooting-from-the-hip estimate for a contract must be finished, unless this other task be. Is a more plainly aggressive response where someone is meddling in your business but not taking care of theirs (! Which case, why ca n't give at least a rough estimate but I do those...
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